The Best Blocking Duos in the Badger Region

<p><span style="font-weight: 400">Blocking is an incredibly important aspect of volleyball, and one that includes making extremely fast decisions and then reacting. The entire defense builds itself off of the blockers positioning and the two blockers going up on the opposing hitter need to be completely in sync with each other. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">The relationship between two blockers is very similar to that of a setter and hitter, there needs to be a lot of mutual trust and understanding between them, as well as a seamless movement. It is very hard to achieve this, but some blocking duos in the Badger Region make it look easy. </span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400">Monica LaFleur and [player_tooltip player_id="80722" first="Natalie" last="Tesch"] - Milwaukee Sting 17 Black </span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">Monica and Natalie both are very detail oriented players and extremely diligent. It shows in their blocking form and collaboration with each other. Individually they put up massive blocks, but together they are nearly unstoppable. Natalie, also a setter on the team, is a great all around player. Monica is a great athlete and was a key player in Arrowhead’s state championship in 2019. </span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400">[player_tooltip player_id="61796" first="Kyla" last="Dunaway"] and [player_tooltip player_id="82891" first="Marissa" last="Corso"] - FC Elite 15 Navy </span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">FC Elite 15 Navy as a team is arguably one of the best in the state if not region at their age level. They have powerhouse hitters, fast setters, scrappy defense, and, of course, massive blockers. Kyla and Marissa have a great connection on the court and both have great verticals and see the court incredibly well. Together they put up one huge block that stops some of the best hitters in the state. </span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400">[player_tooltip player_id="81262" first="Berkley" last="Mischler"] and [player_tooltip player_id="57288" first="Ella" last="Buddenhagen"] - FC Elite 16 Navy </span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">Berkley and Ella are individually impressive, and their blocking chemistry blows most others their age out of the water. They both extend extremely high when they block and use every inch of height they can to press over the net. They also do this consistently in perfect timing causing problems for opponents offenses. </span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400">[player_tooltip player_id="80732" first="Brianna" last="Geurts"] and [player_tooltip player_id="56462" first="Jaclyn" last="Wise"] - FC Elite 17 Navy</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">Brianna and Jaclyn have a great rapport on the court. They are both serious athletes who do what they can for their team and get their jobs done. This attitude is no different when they are a blocking pair and they work very well together defensively. </span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400">[player_tooltip player_id="81335" first="Lauren" last="Lang"] and [player_tooltip player_id="81297" first="Cassandra" last="Alsum"] - Milwaukee Sting 16 White</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">Both Lauren and Cassandra work very hard on the court. They cover and do all of the little things. The same can be said for their blocking. It seems like they perform all of the little details of blocking consistently putting up quite the wall for opponents to attack on. Both are also very fast in transition off of defense to prepare to hit. </span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400">[player_tooltip player_id="57247" first="Riley" last="Hamilton"] and [player_tooltip player_id="81265" first="Alana" last="Dvorak"] - Milwaukee Sting 16 Gold</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">One piece of blocking that can sometimes be overlooked is the communication aspect of it. Riley is a naturally communicative athlete which makes her great as a blocker. Alana’s speed matches very well with Rileys superb communication and together they put up a mighty block. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400">Blocking is one of the more challenging aspects of volleyball. It is very detailed and decisions need to be made very quickly. Each of these pairs set their teams up for success as blockers and as athletes. Their chemistry on the court is a benefit to their team’s defense. </span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>